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Maximum personality, achieved.
Shop & Tell features thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week, we'll take you inside our carts and dish on what we're buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet, too.
Growing up, my sister and I had a tradition of adding a new ornament to the tree each year, slowly curating a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces that represented memories, milestones, or simply things we loved at the time. As adults, many of us still carry on that tradition, so I asked my fellow House Beautiful editors to share the ornaments on their wish lists this season.
From quirky food-themed trinkets to sentimental mementos, the ornaments we picked out let us express our personalities to the fullest. Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie loves “an ornament that's just a little bit kitschy,” while Social Media Editor Bianca Bonetti enjoys gifting funny, lighthearted ornaments, like this mini version of the viral Stanley tumbler. Some editors opt for more personal touches, customizing photo frame ornaments with memories from the year via Framebridge or Artifact Uprising. Others are embracing modern spins on traditional icons like nutcrackers and toy soldiers, adding flair and charm to holiday classics.
Ahead, shop our curation of unique ornaments that capture the spirit of the season so that your home is filled with magic and joy all season long. If you already have all the ornaments you need, consider the finds below for your white elephant gift exchange or slide one into a stocking stuffer if it speaks to that person's tastes and passions.
"I've long been a fan of John Derian's unique aesthetic, and his shop is my favorite for vintage-inspired, nostalgic Christmas ornaments. Many of them are on the pricier side, but I like to give them as sentimental gifts and select just a few for statement moments throughout my tree. This year, my eye is on this clip-on nutcracker."
—Kate McGregor, Digital Editor
"Every year, my sentimental mother has framed a tiny photo of me and one of my brother in felt-backed wooden shower curtain rings that she expertly crafts into Christmas tree ornaments, using just a little white paint, a red paint pen, ribbon, and her trusty hot glue gun. To say our tree has gotten a little crowded with a combined 60+ shower curtain rings is an understatement, but we adore the hunt for our new picture ornament year after year. While it's safe to say the Bamman family tree is planted firmly in curtain ring land, why not start your own tree tradition with these gorgeous, gilded miniature picture frame ornaments from Framebridge? Upload a photo from your iPhone to the site, and they will mail your instant family heirloom to you, red velvet ribbon for hanging and all!"
—Lucy Bamman, Style Editor at Large
"I love Catbird for its dainty jewelry and was pleasantly surprised to see them selling ornaments online. All the little pieces have a tinge of NYC to them, especially these florals wrapped in newspaper that's a subtle nod to flowers sold at bodegas. I love dropping by my local bodegas to pick up fresh stems (some offer a better variety than others) for my home, so I am obsessed with this ornament as it feels like it was made especially for me."
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
"I love this Nutcracker ornament collection from Wedgwood. The bone china and ribbon are the high quality you'd expect from Wedgwood, but the color scheme is so fun!"
—Catherine DiPersico, Assistant Market Editor
"Who doesn't want a mini version of their enormous water cup? Friends NYC has an amazing selection of silly ornaments and they have something for everyone, whether you're looking to hang an espresso martini or a fake Botox syringe on your tree."
—Bianca Bonetti, Social Media Editor
"When I start to get sentimental about living in New York, I love to have little reminders of the city strewn about my apartment. I was gifted this felt subway-shaped ornament after moving into my first apartment, and I love how cute and well-stitched it is. Plus, for all my small space dwellers, felt ornaments are much easier to store than glass ones. They don't require precious wrapping and spacing."
—Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor
"A must-stop during the holiday season is the John Derian store. A wonderland of every kind of ornament you could think of arranged categorically from food-themed to sea-themed to a bunch of pickles! But my favorites are the dome ornaments—beautifully crafted glass bulbs with a center feature."
—Catherine DiPersico, Assistant Market Editor
"I love an ornament that's just a little bit kitschy, and this one is shaped like a tin of Danish Butter Cookies. Not only is the design spot-on, but it's a clever little nod to so many immigrant families, like my own, who used this tin for sewing or braiding supplies rather than cookies."
—Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor
"Last year, I spent the holidays in Chicago—and to anyone who's headed to the Windy City in December, you must visit P.O.S.H. I could've spent hours perusing their holiday display, which comprises a mix of kitschy and classic decor. This pomegranate ornament is a bit of both—it's a stunning, hand-finished art object and just a little bit whimsical as well."
—Melanie Yates, Senior Digital Editor
"I'm ordering this classic frame to hold a holiday photo of our new family of four. It's a great grandparent gift, and the thick brass frame means I can hang it on our tree without worrying about my toddler breaking it. We ordered wedding albums from AO — their products are really high quality."
—Elyse Moody, Senior Features Editor
"If you know me, you know I love croissants. So while I almost went for the opportunity to hang Diane Keaton on my tree (!?) best be sure I did not hesitate to buy this pastry ornament."
—Catherine DiPersico, Assistant Market Editor
"I recently discovered air dry clay ornaments and immediately bought a set for myself and my sister-in-law, who just had her first child. While I'm planning to press my dog Willow's paw print into the clay, my SIL printed my niece's tiny feet and hand onto her clay set. Once the clay dries, you can string it up on your tree as an ornament—so cute!"
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
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